If you are looking for something really different to see and do, think of the Everglades National Park, located in extreme southern Florida.  The park covers an area of some 1.5 million acres (2350 square miles) and is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the entire country.  In addition to the requisite alligators, look for hundreds of native and migratory bird species, unending sawgrass marshes and an incredible variety of trees and plants.  In fact, the "glades" are known as "The River of Grass," in large part because a slowly moving river once flowed underneath its swampy grasses.

You can start your adventure by checking out the Everglades National Park web site (http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm).  To locate detailed information about the park (including details about kayaking, hiking and camping), use the "site map" hyperlink on the leftmost menu.  But the website also provides great background information about the park.

While the scenery is gorgeous (and you'll want to take as much photographic equipment as you can), recognize two important things about the area.  First, south Florida has two primary seasons - wet and dry.  Each is extreme.  Hence in summertime, you have to dodge daily thunderstorms with incredibly heavy rainfall and intense, dangerous lightning.  In late winter and spring, dryness rules.  And prescribed burns (intentionally set fires to clear away dead wood and grass to prevent larger fires) and natural fires abound.  This means that some park areas may be closed off or skies may be smoke-filled.

To begin enjoying the Everglades, stop at one of the visitor centers - west of Homestead, south of Everglades City and any of several within the park.

The Gulf Coast Center offers access to the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove islands and waterways located along the coast.  There are tours, but you can also take your own (or rented) boat or kayak out to explore.  Look for manatees, dolphins, osprey and other saltwater species.

Inside the park, navigation is hard.  This is because of the aforementioned seasonal fire danger, limited trail coverage and the presence of dangerous species.  Still, there are some trails open for walking and biking.  But you'll need to get on the narrated tram ride to reach inaccessible areas.  At the Shark Center, the observation tower allows for spectacular views of the sawgrass marshes.

Airboat rides, available from private marketers, are a must-do. Offered for various lengths of time (and associated costs), these take you far into the Everglades where you can see nature untouched. While these rides hype gator-watching, you'll get to see a lot of the Everglades in the process.

Finally, recognize that a visit to the Everglades is not a one-day event.  There's a lot to see here.  Plan to visit again, especially during a different season.  The scenery, the history and the educational value are well worth your time and any expense.

The concept of a "green vacation" is something that is slowly growing in popularity and for very good reason. Such vacations raise environmental consciousness while also providing a forum for vacationers to have a lot of fun. Such is the case with Bonita Springs, FL which is rapidly growing in popularity as a green vacation destination.
 

Actually, it would not be completely accurate to infer that the popularity of this destination as a green vacation site is something completely new. It has long since been a well traveled vacation town that has drawn in scores of tourists from around the world. The reason for this is revealed almost immediately once one looks at the lush green environment that surrounds the area. Without a doubt, the locale of this town is among the very best that Florida has to offer…bar none.

 At the core of this town is the neighboring Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. While some may have the erroneous belief that a swamp is little more than a collective of pests and unfriendly wildlife in hot, muggy weather, this is most definitely not the case. In fact, swamps can be filled with a lot of wonder as evidenced by this amazing sanctuary. Exploring this sanctuary will lead to a greater understanding an appreciation for the amazing plant and animal life that resides in it.

Then, there is also the excellent Lovers Key State Park that also borders the region. Those that visit the state park will also be treated to a number of unique sights and sounds that allow one to bask in the glory of the natural world. Of course, this is done in the comfort of a protected environment which makes for safer and more efficient tourism. Again, this is what greatly contributes to the popularity of such a park.

That is why so many scores of visitors descend upon it each year. Why not become one of these visitors and see what the park has to offer? Another great benefit to visiting this region that many will find appealing is the fact that Bonita Springs borders some of the most amazing beaches in Southwest Florida. These white sand pristine beaches are certainly unforgettable and the blue water will also forever remain embedded in one's memories. Of course, venturing into the water and taking part in any number of activities such as swimming, snorkeling, or even scuba will add to the fun. Yes, these beaches are incredibly enjoyable. Why not venture into them to see the great fun for yourself? Bonita Springs, Fl remains one of the most unique vacation destinations in all of the United States. This is why those interested in the concept of a green vacation should look towards this town as a solid destination well worth exploring.

Many of our states are beautiful, but Florida has to be one of the most breathtaking that there is. Many people move to this wonderful state each year, and many more visit. If you are planning to take a road trip, there may not be a better state to do it.

There are so many places to go in Florida that you might have a hard time at first deciding just where you are going to go and how you are going to get there.

If you have a destination in mind that you are going to make a part of this trip, this will make it easier to plan the whole drive. Find your destination, and then look at everything around it. There are many great websites that list attractions by town, so you can choose to stop at towns on the way. Other sites will show you a list of popular routes that people take in order to see as much of Florida as they can. You can choose one of these routes that have your destination in it.

On the other hand, if you don't have a specific location in mind that you need to get to, this can make your trip more interesting. If this is the case, you can choose a destination, such as Miami, Orlando, or the Florida Keys, and build a road trip around getting to and from this destination.

If you decide to drive to the Florida Keys, this is a road trip all in itself. Driving from the mainland to the islands is a trip full of spectacular views. The life experience of driving from one island to another is interesting all by itself. No matter where you go, see if you can take different routes to your destination and back so you see as much as possible.

One of the first things you need to do is to decide how long of a trip this is going to be. If you only have a few days to make your Florida road trip, you need to make sure that your itinerary matches the time you have. You don't want to over-stuff your schedule because you need to leave yourself time to enjoy the places you visit.

On the other hand, if you have a couple weeks to spend on your trip, you should get enough destinations in to make you feel like you really saw the state.

When you stop at big tourist cities, give yourself some extra time here as there will be a lot to see. Make plans on what you are going to visit while you're in town so that you have a plan once you arrive. Otherwise, you'll feel like you are being pulled in all different directions by your options.

Going to natural sights like the Everglades will give you memories for a lifetime, and are especially important if you have kids.

There is so much that could be said about Florida, it would be impossible to list it all here. Gather some information on Florida and the places you'd like to see, and then have fun planning your trip. Involve the entire family, and everyone is sure to be excited about the trip.

When we drive around our local area or even across our state, we usually don’t look at the architecture.  That is, unless we see a particularly unusual-shaped building or something so futuristic that it wows us.

Yet, every state, and Florida in particular, has an incredible array of architecture, just waiting to be viewed.  To do so, however, requires a bit of effort and just maybe taking that detour to catch a look.

First, do a little homework.  A judicious web search for "Florida Architecture" or "Florida history" may suffice.  But, to get you started, here are 10 architectural treasures that showcase Florida's rich history and the climate, ethnic cultures, businesses and other things that have driven its diversity.

There's no better place to start than in central Florida near Walt Disney World.  Here the Epcot icon, Spaceship Earth, a huge golf-ball-like edifice, greets visitors.  It is about futuristic as one could imagine.

Nearby is the Team Disney Building.  Its modernistic perspective, graced with an ornamental sundial atop its central cylinder and its colorful, playful design speaks volumes about the Disney mindset.

Be sure to include a visit to Celebration, literally the Town Disney built.  Still in its youth, Celebration has brought back the small town image from the 1930's in its neo-traditional town design.  Several thousand residences surround an easy to access shopping area.

Mixing new and old comes to play when considering the religious influences of the state.  

Newness is exuded in the Ava Maria community outside of Naples in southwest Florida.  On the older side, Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Pfeiffer Chapel at Florida Southern College some 70 years ago.  It was the first building on the Lakeland campus and combines location, concrete and colored glass to advantage.

You'll find historic buildings throughout the state.  Some are now "bed and breakfasts;" others are residences, government buildings or serve other purposes.  

But one stands out because of its history, as well as architectural story.  That's the "Shotgun House," a long, narrow building, often next to similar buildings.  Similar to New York brownstones, these homes are only one-level.  And while they have a space between them, side windows are lacking (since they would have done little for ventilation and a lot against privacy).  They remain sprinkled throughout the state.

No amount of historical perspective would be complete without a schoolhouse.  And the supposedly oldest surviving school building in the U.S. (dating back to before 1716) can be found in St. Augustine.  It's well-weathered, but still standing and that tells a lot about construction some 300 years ago.

Not far away, in Fernandina Beach, there is a "lighthouse home."  Yep, it's just as you imagined.  The home looks like a lighthouse with a life preserver atop that houses the street address.

The Broward County Library in Fort Lauderdale uses more modern, and more hurricane resistant, concrete design.  But it mixes different facades, terraces and other structures to give the building a character so often missing in today's block-like buildings.

The South Beach area in Miami likely houses the largest collection of art deco architecture in any place.  Street after street contain colorful, unusual designs that typify the fun and playfulness tat South beach is known for.

Finally, be prepared to find a plethora of mansions and other grandiose homes, especially near the coast and key inland waterways and lakes.  Often each home has been designed with a different look and feel.  So driving around will give you an architectural perspective you may never have experienced before.

With your eyes now open to the richness and history of Florida's architecture, it's time to take that long overdue tour of your local area first; then reach out and experience all that Florida's architecture has to offer.  Hopefully, you'll like what you see.

If you are planning a beachfront vacation in Florida, there are a few tips that can make it more fun and you will find that Florida has a way of exceeding your expectations. The first thing is to find the best beachfront accommodations at a reasonable price. Vacation Rental Hotspots at www.vacationrentalhotspots.com originated in Daytona Beach, but they have expanded to the greatest accommodations up and down every beachfront destination in Florida on the Ocean or on the Gulf sides.
The first thing you need to decide about your Florida vacation is what your expectations are. If you are going there to find sea shells, you will want to consider a couple of things. First of all, the ocean side has small scallop shells all over every beach. Notice the word small. Many people envision they can find all kinds of shells, like large conch shells and large scallop shells scattered all over the beach.
If you are taking the kids to the beach for this activity, you will want to narrow your vacation to the Gulf side at the time of year when the seashells wash in a foot high.  Seashells belong to living ocean life that has a cycle- you will find that water temperature, tide patterns and even hurricanes can make the difference of the shells you will find. If you have a specific beach and time of year that doesn't correspond with these patterns, you can buy all kinds of seashells in the shops, and for little toddlers, you can plant them in your area of the beach for them to find and enjoy the activity. If you want the real thing, it is easy to find the best beach locations and times of year, but the best ones will be on the Gulf side of Florida.
Of course, another tip would be to consider that the sun burns hot in Florida year round, so take plenty of sunscreen and apply it often. The saltwater will breakdown the sunscreen each time you get in, so apply often. If you rent a beachside retreat from Vacation Rental Hotspots at www.vacationrentalhotspots.com  you can easily coax the kids in for lunch and a nap during the hottest part of the day. In fact, many of the beachfront cottages, condos and villas have grills on the patios or a balcony where you can feel the ocean breezes and relax during the hottest part of the day.
Of course, any shark warnings should be heeded, but the best thing is to not go out too far. Tide patterns change and so does the depth of the water, so keep children close to shore. Also, rip currents develop and can carry you out to sea. There are other sea creatures to be aware of such as jellyfish, which can sting. You may want to keep vinegar and meat tenderizer with you, just in case. Choose some of the less populated beaches for fishing and more privacy. Vacation Rental Hotspots at www.vacationrentalhotspots.com will have the spacious, luxurious and affordable accommodations that are perfect, no matter which beaches you plan to visit. Their luxurious vacation rentals are located in the best locations at weekly prices less than a couple nights in a luxury hotel room.

When you are planning the vacation of a lifetime, many people think of Florida, especially if they have children. Every kid needs to go to Disney or Sea World at least once in their lives. Of course, you can easily go to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure since they are all in close proximity to each other and located right in the Orlando area.
If you are planning to go to Florida for fun, the best value in lodging accommodations is Vacation Rental Hotspots, at www.vacationrentalhotspots.com.  Your family can find accommodations right near the theme parks and most of them are much cheaper, yet much more spacious than the hotel rooms you will find in the area. Florida's largest shopping mall, The Florida Mall is located in Orlando.
Of course, those that don't have children will find all kinds of things to do in Florida. That is part of the reasons it has been chosen as one of the top destinations in North America for a great vacation. The never-ending fun, nightlife, beaches and some of the best shopping is found in Florida. Whether it is eating great seafood on the ocean in Daytona Beach, fishing from Jetty Pier in Cocoa Beach or going to Tampa for the great variety of things to do, you can rent some great accommodations from Vacation Rental Hotspots. They originated in Daytona Beach, but now they have everything from beachfront cottages and villas all over Florida to oceanfront condominiums and five bedroom homes near Disney.
Florida has great year round weather and many love to go there for the great Ocean breezes and the great nightlife along the beaches on both sides of Florida. It goes without saying that it is a great place to play golf, take an airboat ride, go deep sea fishing or fish from the many inland freshwater lakes. The beautiful, lush tropical landscape stays that way all of the time. You can lie on the beach in January and swim in the ocean. If you visit the Florida Keys, you can catch a variety of fish in the world's best sport fishing paradise and there are all kinds of charter fishing boats, scuba diving expedition outfitters and snorkeling is a favorite sport.
If you go to the Gulf side the right time of year, you will find sea shells washed up on the beach over a foot high, near Marco Island. No matter what your passion, Vacation Rental Hotspots at www.vacationrentalhotspots.com has great accommodations to make your trip a lifelong memory. There is so much to do in Florida that it is no surprise that many people spend at least a week or two there and maybe more.
There is no other state in the country that has the concentration of fun, nightlife, shopping, activities, theme parks, golf, water-sports and great restaurants that Florida has. You won't find a better vacation anywhere, which is why Florida has several large cities consistently in the top ten destination lists. At Vacation Rental Hotspots, you can find some of the most spacious, luxurious and reasonably priced accommodations, no matter what part of Florida you are visiting or what you are going there to do.

What do you think of when you hear the words Florida Keys? Most think of the sun glittering on the ocean as if there are diamonds strewn through it, and many think of the absolutely amazing sunsets that are world-renowned in the Florida Keys.

Regardless of whether those were your first thoughts or not, everyone who has ever been to the Keys agrees on one thing that it is paradise on earth. Purchasing a condo in the Keys, or even renting one will put you in line for such visions as rows of pelicans gracefully going by your building, sunrises and sunsets that can literally make your heart sing, as well as making you feel romantic and sensuous. A vacation condo will be filled with the items that make your home comfortable and appealing.

You will have comfortable furniture, as well as bedding, and new appliances that are top of the line and exceedingly well maintained, as opposed to hotels where there are no chances for home cooking, even in the morning, and the bedding may sag a bit from overuse. Motels are notorious for holding back on such things as cable TV, purchasing only the basics. But in a condominium building, with everyone paying their proportioned share, you will have the same cable connections as at home.

There are 120 miles of the fabulous Keys, each island affording you their natural beauty for you to enjoy to the fullest. Whether you go snorkeling or deep sea diving, you'll love seeing living coral barrier reefs, as well as incredible schools of fish that are found in the wild rather than confined to aquariums.Imagine being able to kayak into the Florida marshland as the sun sets on the sparkling waters or being able to fish to your heart's content and landing such delicacies as snook, bonefish or tarpon. With a condo not only can you do those things, but also you can partake of your catch as it is fresh caught in the sea in the afternoon and on your plate that same evening. After dinner, you can have an after dinner drink on your ocean balcony and watch as the moon begins to interplay with the waves. If the moon is full, you'll experience one of the most wonderful sights with each wave. The moon's reflection casts an eerie glow to the waves, as if lit from beneath with iridescent light green lights! It is a sight you'll never forget. Imagine walking down historic Duval Street in the old town of Key West and hearing the faint tinkling sounds of bells on bicycles, the favored Key West means of transportation, as you walk past delightfully pastel colored clapboard homes. Further down, you will encounter the Ernest Hemingway home and museum as well as the Mel Fisher museum, which is filled with some of the rare gold, and silver artifacts brought back from the sea off the Spanish sunken galleon, the Atocha.
If you lean more toward romance than tourism, you may be extremely interested in the many romantic sunset sails you can arrange for. Some on tiny sailboats and some on bigger sailboats where you can enjoy dinner with your significant other, there is a plethora of such sunset sails available for you.

Those who own vacation homes, or vacation condos do not reside there year around, thus having them in move-in condition at the last minute often is a problem, especially if the condo or home has been loaned to others who may not have the same care or cleanliness approach that you have. Then too, electronics are at times damaged by lightning or fast changes in the weather conditions, but you will not know of the damage until you are ready to actually use your vacation get away. Basic maintenance requires that the premises are immaculately clean, everything within is in good working order and ready to accept you in the opulence that you initially selected your vacation home in.

Just as you do at home, various costs will be filtered down to you. Taxes went up at your home and will go up in a vacation condo as well. Again, just as you do for your own day-to-day home you will have to keep your vacation get away insured against things like fire. Though it may be a smaller unit, square footage wise, you may find that because its not occupied and thus open to vandalism, that the cost of such insurance may be higher than you suspected it would run.

You should set aside reserve funds for such things as a new roof, window replacement, furnace and air conditioner replacement, as well as appliances that are infrequently utilized, and thus may break down sooner than your home appliances. The same may well happen to the plumbing in a vacation property.

On the other hand, with property values having plummeted in the majority of the United States, combined with low interest rates, now may well be the time to invest in a vacation home or condo. There is always the chance that you can keep the unit rented until you are ready to use it, as long as the condominium documents allow such a rental. Thus if purchasing a condo, be sure and inspect the documents carefully first, and make your sales contract contingent on such an inspection and approval.

Depending on your age, renting such a property until you retire is often the way to provide for a growing nest egg, or even be the place that you will use for your retirement when the time comes. Imagine being able to play golf all day from your luxurious golf course condominium?

Perhaps instead of golf you envision some of the more exotic areas of the world, such as Portugal, Thailand, Spain, Hawaii, Florida, Italy, France, Greece or the Caribbean? There are more than beachfront condos to select, such as villas, chateaus, private castles, countryside farmhouses, mountain lodges, or just an A-frame home located in the Swiss Alps?

If that does not appeal to you, then perhaps you can join those who imagine living aboard a sumptuous yacht with an experienced captain and on-board help to clean, cook and maintain the yacht? Just think of all the ports you could visit globally or the fabulous cities worldwide you could visit? Such a vacation or retirement haven may become your future goal.

Regardless of where you choose to purchase your vacation home away from home, chances are excellent that the property will appreciate in value eventually, thereby affording not only a fantastic get away for your grandchildren, for example, but also maintain the family wealth well invested using real estate as the tool.

Fort the longest time Florida has been the preferred vacation spot for those who are looking to relax beside clear waters or walk white sandy beaches. Even today it beats out some of the other vacation spots simply because of its family activities and beautiful beaches. But what one might wonder of course is where exactly does one go in Florida to have fun at the beach? There are actually a number of great vacation destinations in this southern state, and while we only have time to list a few of them, there is no doubt that you will not be disappointed in the least.

Fort Desoto is a great place to visit in Florida. This is a military installation that was erected during the Spanish-American war and has a full seven miles of beaches. It is also equipped with many different campsites which ensures plenty of activities for a family that wants to have a great getaway on one of Florida's many beautiful beaches. For the history buffs among the many vacationers, there is a history museum here with tons of reading material.

One that you might have heard of already is Fort Lauderdale. This is an area that is home to over twenty three miles of beaches and has plenty of activities for families. This is a great vacation destination to look into if you are willing to experience the great Florida beaches firsthand!

Key Biscayne is a great place for all sorts of activities. Here you can jet ski, ski, surf, or even charter a boat for some deep sea fishing. No matter what it is you want to do, the sky is the limit and this is something that you should take advantage of if you are ever traveling through Florida. Remember that this beach is more ideal for if you are traveling alone or traveling with adults, as families might get more than a little bit bored here.

Perdido Key is a great place for swimming. It has a plethora of wildlife for you to gaze upon, and it also comes standard with several open areas for a person to sunbathe in. Whether you want to go swimming or just lay round, this is the best beach to do it in peace and quiet.

Clearwater Beach is another great one. It is said that this beach features just about any activity you could possibly think of. This is definitely the best vacation destination for those who are looking to make the most out of their trip, and you should check it out if you are in the area because chances are it has exactly what you're looking for.

Those are just a few of the beaches that Florida has to offer. Naturally it has a lot more and you'll come across them if you spend any extended time in Florida. After all, the entire state is flanked by water! Go see the beauty of Florida for yourself, because if you have never gazed upon the magnificence of it and its many beaches then you are certainly missing out!

Very few people purchased travel insurance prior to 9/11, but unfortunately that calamity has awakened many to see the wisdom of travel insurance now. Travel insurance covers a myriad of items besides your trip itself. Often it covers your health, your luggage, your possessions as well as your trip itself. There are three undeniable reasons to purchase travel insurance. Most people list apprehension of losing their money that they paid for the trip, security aligned with the unexpected, as well as peace of mind.

There are a number of different kinds of trip insurance ranging from medical evacuation, baggage coverage, health insurance, and of course trip and flight insurance. The smiles and thrills of traveling can often be severely curtailed by any of those events, and thus that's what travel insurance insures against.

Most people are more than aware of insurance against flight cancellation; however there are so many other reasons why you may need travel insurance. Imagine, if you will, having your medications in your carry on, but it's stolen, thus you need to fill emergency prescriptions away from home. What if someone steals your wallet and passport? You will need emergency cash as well as a passport replacement in a hurry.

What if you are physically incapacitated through an accident or a medical problem that cannot be treated in the tiny island village you find yourself in and you need to be medically evacuated to a large hospital in a city? This also includes trip cancellation due to illness. Also, above medical evacuation to bigger and better treatment may not include taking you back home.

Read the insurance offers carefully to be sure. The thing that you may be saved from is being held hostage at a medical facility until you pay the bill. There are different laws to contend with when you are no longer in the United States.

Imagine what you would do if your tour operator, airline or cruise line declares bankruptcy while you are on your trip, you will need many expenses covered as well as being covered for your trip destination. Also there's your return to home to contend with.

Do not purchase such insurance as offered by the operator, airline or cruse line though, for if they declare bankruptcy, chances are the insurance premiums will not have been paid either. Hurricanes often require evacuation from islands or coastline vacation resorts and stop many cruises from completing the cruise. You would need protection for that as well.

Although no one wishes to discuss this, it still passes through our minds when we consider travel terrorist actions. Granted you may not be directly involved, but you may well have to cancel your trip if you are attaining a vacation area that has received such terrorist action.

What about downright missing the boat? Although many funny such occasions are well documented in TV shows, and movies, the actual case is truly not funny. Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control, and thus being insured against such a catastrophe is a good idea.